Frozen Fish Ladder

Fish ladder with ice, Deschutes River. (f/25, 6 sec.)

Red Waves, Blue Waves

I've been seeing light recently, even as the sun wanes in the sky with the autumnal cycle. On separate occasions in the past week, I've found light reflecting off water in interesting ways, and only after posting these did I realize the similarity. Sunlight - water - bold colored wall. Colorful balm as the gray clouds set in for the start of our rainy season here in the Pacific Northwest.

Magic Watercolors

One of my favorite spots to catch great water reflections is at the very southern tip of Puget Sound -- the place where Budd Inlet meets the Deschutes River (well, the outflow from Capitol Lake). Depending on the weather, the time, the seasons, a whole variety watery effects can emerge. This is an afternoon reflection I caught while lots of other people were milling around the same area watching the migrating salmon take their last breaths of saltwater before heading upstream to spawn.

A gift...

As if the early morning light wasn't gift enough, just as I was framing up this picture, some tiny insect made a tiny splash on the mirror-perfect surface of the lake, and I caught the concentric circles. All that, and there's no wrapping paper to throw away...

Photos in Public Places

Just saw this announcement, of interest to photographers:

PHOTOGRAPHERS’ RIGHTS: TAKING PICTURES IN PUBLIC PLACES
Photographic Center Northwest, 900 12th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98122
Wednesday, April 23, 2008, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

SEATTLE— Venkat Balasubramani will discuss the legal rights of photographers who take photographs in public locations. Incidents of law enforcement harassment of photographers have increased over the past 6 or 7 years, principally in response to perceived threats following 9-11. The seminar will discuss:
· Recent incidents in the Northwest and other parts of the country
· What legal restrictions exist on photographing public property/infrastructure
· What to do if you are approached by law enforcement
· When law enforcement involvement may cross the line

FEE: In advance: $35 Attorneys and Paralegals; $10 Artists and Students. At the door: $40 Attorneys and Paralegals; $15 Artists and Students

REGISTRATION:
To register, visit Brown Paper Tickets, http://brownpapertickets.com/producer/3042 , or phone 24/7 at 800.838.3006. To pay at the door, RSVP to Washington Lawyers for the Arts at 206.328.7053. Please note that the event is subject to cancellation; visit www.thewla.org or call 206.328.7053 for more information.

Seeing Differently

I've shot photos most of my life. But it was mostly vacation snaps, or perhaps an assignment for a class, or family or friend shots. Only in the last couple of years have I gone looking for images. And the other day when I was waiting for a meeting in downtown Olympia, it struck me how much my vision has changed as a result.

Instead of cooling my heels in a cafe waiting, I strolled through alleys. The rain gave way to a wet sunshine, and the light was magical. I shot some buildings, some sky, some details. Then I looked down. At first, I saw only the puddle. In an instant, however, I saw that it was a doorway to another view, an upside-down planet where I saw buildings and sky through the old bricks beneath the thin veneer of pavement.

Yet another reason not to take me on walks, if you're in a hurry to get someplace.